Fifty Plus (50+) - TdF - Little Yellow Things?

While watching the Tour de France on TV, I've been noticing something.

Just about every bike shown in a closeup shot of the rear wheel looks like there is some kind of small yellow thing attached to the left side of the rear wheel stay, just under the quick release lever for the rear wheel.

Does anyone have any idea what they are?

Inquiring minds need to know. :popcorn

yes that's for timing the bikes when they finish. it's all wired up.

^^^ Yes, it's a timing chip transponder.

AHHHH HA - I suspected as much but didn't know.

I also wondered how they got each riders time at the start and finish.

I've done a lot of sailboat racing and my share of being on the race committee - calling sail numbers at the finish line can be tough. I could not imagine someone sighting across the finish line calling rider numbers.

Thanks

I used to be a more regular marathon runner than I am now. I've a number of finisher's certificates with my time recording from the time the start gun went off to the time I crossed the finish line. Often I lined up in the starting pen according to my expected speed, and often it took me a lot of minutes to get through the crowds to the start line

Just recently I took part in another - London 2007 - with a little timing chip on my shoe laces which recorded my actual elapsed marathon time from crossing the start line to crossing the finish line. Wowee zowee, I was recorded faster than I was in 87 (though in fact setting my own wrist stopwatch on crossing the start and finish lines I was 20 minutes slower!)

I like 'em timing chips!

I suspect that I have a [yellow] transponder implanted in my skull. Which is why I wear aluminum foil under my helmet.:twitchy:

I suspect that I have a [yellow] transponder implanted in my skull. Which is why I wear aluminum foil under my helmet.:twitchy:

I think you only use the thin chicken foil. I'd like to suggest you shift to the Turkey gauge, 'cos I'm getting some ugly images and my IT people are appalled.

I think you only use the thin chicken foil. I'd like to suggest you shift to the Turkey gauge, 'cos I'm getting some ugly images and my IT people are appalled.

Thanks for the tip. :thumb: